NEVILLE`S ERRORS COST UNITED
The damage was done in a two minute period of the first half when two howling errors from Gary Neville gifted goals to Romario, and Edmundo then gave United a mountain to climb by netting a brilliant individual effort two minutes before the interval. Though the Premiership side looked better in the second half after Teddy Sheringham`s introduction they couldn`t get back into the game until Nicky Butt hit a consolation goal nine minutes from time.
In a game that brought back memories of United`s capitulation against Barcelona at the Nou Camp in 1994, Sir Alex Ferguson`s side were made to look square at the back and never looked at ease against the brilliant Edmundo and Romario.
However, the European Champions did have a lot of possession in the first half and held their own before the errors from Neville, one of the Premiership`s most reliable defenders, sealed their fate.
The first mistake occurred on 24 minutes when the England full back`s wayward backpass fell to Edmundo who drew United keeper Mark Bosnich before squaring to Romario - who made no mistake.
Then two minutes later there seemed to be a breakdown in communication between Bosnich and Neville leading to the latter chesting the ball towards his own goal only for Romario to collect the ball, round the keeper and score.
United could do nothing about Vasco`s brilliant third goal though. The ball was slipped to Edmundo who, with his back to goal on the edge of the penalty area, flicked the ball past Silvestre and then beat Stam to stab home past Bosnich.
United did have chances in the second half and were unlucky when Sheringham`s effort was disallowed after he was adjudged to have kicked the ball from Vasco keeper Helton`s hands before netting.
Sheringham, who replaced the ineffectual Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, earlier went close with a clever chip from twenty yards and Dwight Yorke and Ryan Giggs also wasted good opportunities. United got just reward for their second half domination when substitute Jordi Cruyff`s free kick was met by Roy Keane who squared for the unmarked Butt to slot home - though in fairness the Brazilian outfit knew by then that the job was already done.
In the late Group A game on Saturday night Necaxa of Mexico beat South Melbourne 3-1. The results leave Vasco de Gama top of the group with six points, ahead of the Necaxa who have four points. The pair meet on Tuesday to decide who will go through to the World Club Championship final. United are second-bottom of the group with one point and play group whipping-boys South Melbourne on Tuesday.Ciaran Baynes
